Monthly Archives: May 2013

“Mother’s Day was Sunday, May 12, 2013. ON this day it seems fitting to remember the mothers and families of Susquehanna County through your sharing and contribution to the work of the “Adopt-a-Family” program of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre MIssion District. Why do we link the two?

First, do you know the original “Mother’s Day” was begun as a church related function? In 1868, Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a “Mother’s Friendship Day” with the purpose of “reuniting families that had been divided during the Civil War.” Previously she had organized a “Mother’s Day Work Club” to improve the sanitation and health for both Union and Confederate encampments undergoing a typhoid outbreak. After her death, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, with the assistance of Philadelphia merchant John Wannamaker, established the official “Mother’s Day.” On May 12, 1907, a special service was held in Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Grafton, West Virginia where Anna’s mother had taught Sunday School.

Second, the mothers and families of Susquehanna County find themselves in similar situations. Families are divided and sanitation and health are threatened. However, in today’s environment, the cause is not Civil War but violence and abuse, economics, education, socialization, and fear.

This month consider the women and families in Susquehanna County. Perhaps Pastors, Lecturers and Chaplains will highlight the “Adopt-A-Family” program in talks and prayers. Your efforts and assistance is valued and needed in this ministry. With your help, we can create opportunities there!

GROW-A-ROW for the Back Mountain Food Pantry! Spread the word about this great project. The garden is located ona section of The Lands at Hillside Farms and has been a work in progress for the last three years. Last year the garden produced 1,000 lbs. of fresh produce that went to the clients of the Back Mountain Food Pantry and the Noxen Food Pantry. This year the hope is to provide 1,500 lbs. of fresh produce to those same clients. To ge successful, the garden needs your help in many ways:

For those who are able, we need physical help at the garden to plant, water, harvest, etc.

Donations of equipment and supplies are accepted (a wish list can be found on the website).

Monetary donations are accepted for the purchase of needed items.

Spread the word about the project.

Grow some extra produce in your own gardne. The Grow-A-Row program can be found on the website.

For more information, to see the wish list and photos from last year, please visit www.foopanga.org. Check back throughout the season to check our progress. Contact Bob McGuire at 570-216-8326 for more information.

Bring you favorite lady to the historic Grange Hall for a wonderful evening of tea, coffee, beverages and snacks. Live music will be provided by Tim Pigeon and Paul Greco. All proceeds benefit the Words for Thirds Dictionary Program. We will be purchasing dictionaries for the entire 2013-2014 Perkiomen Valley South Elementary Third Grade Class! $5.00 entrance fee is suggested. Location: Keystone Grange Hall at 192 West Main Street in Trappe. Times: 6 pm to 9 pm. Contact: Gene Zvarick 484-948-6916 or [email protected].